‘Twas the nocturnal segment of the diurnal period preceding the annual Yuletide celebration, and throughout our place of residence, kinetic activity was not in evidence among the possessors of this potential, including that species of domestic rodent known as Mus musculus.

Doesn’t that sound ridiculous?

There’s a desire at this time of year for things to be familiar, even an out loud goal of “going home for the holidays,” that sense of home ranging from baking grandma’s cookies to watching It’s a Wonderful Life for the 30th time. We yearn to create again a sense of wonder, of joy, and of love. In all of that, there’s the pleasure in having been somewhere before, and winding together that remembered pleasure with the present experience.

Words matter. For better – when you hear a phrase that excites or comforts; for worse – when we scoff or ignore what’s said.